How to change lower ball joints - 1996 Ford Explorer

There are several different wear specs regarding lower ball joints. The official manufacturer torque spec. for lower ball joint wear (For your truck) is 5 in lbs. The official wear spec. to pass the Federal State inspection is less than 1/16" of play at the ball joint (up and down and side to side). The official wear spec. for a front end alignment is zero play.

SponsoredShop for Whats the part number fo... on Google
Moog K500007 Lower Ball Joi...
$33.26
Jet.com Moog K6117T Ball Joint
$27.79
Walmart Parts Master K9385 Lower...
$10.97
Jet.com Control Arm W/ball Joint Fr...
$59.70
eBay Ball Joint ? Lower/Upper...
$22.95
EPI Performa... Search Results

Ball Joint - Lower at AutoZone.com - Best Ball Joint - Lower ...

www.autozone.com/suspension-steering-tire.../ball-joint-lower

AutoZoneShop for Ball Joint - Lower products with confidence at AutoZone.com. Parts are justpart of what we do. ... Duralast/Ball Joint - Lower, Part Number: FA1490 ...

Dodge Stratus Ball Joints ' eBay

For your problem,check out this few help links.

Click the link below to go through its procedure:----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html------- How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html------- How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html------ How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html----------- How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html--------- Lower Ball Joints replacing on Mitsubishi car? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html
-------------These details will help.For more help,keep updated,with car brand,model and year.Thanks.Helpmech.

For ball joints issue.Before replacing it,first inspect and test the ball joints to confirm the problem:----Click the help links below to troubleshoot the problem and replace the ball joints:----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html Lower Ball Joints replacing? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html----------This will help.Thanks.

Click this help links below to go through its complete replacing procedure :-----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html Lower Ball Joints replacing on car? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html

It depends on exactly which ball joint of the 3 per side your changing, but here are the details.

COMPRESSION LOWER ARM & LATERAL LOWER ARM ASSEMBLIES
Removal
1. Loosen compression lower arm ball joint nut. Using steering linkage puller, separate ball joint and
knuckle. Remove nut, bolts and compression lower arm assembly. Remove dust cover.
2. Remove stay. Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Loosen lateral lower arm ball
joint and knuckle nut. Using steering linkage puller, separate ball joint and knuckle. Remove nut, bolt and
lateral lower arm assembly. Remove dust cover.
Inspection
Using preload socket, ensure breakaway torque for compression lower arm ball joint is 4-22 INCH lbs. (0.5-2.5
N.m) for 2000 models. On 2001 models, breakaway torque is 22-54 INCH lbs. (2.5-6.1 N.m). Ensure
breakaway torque for compression lateral lower arm ball joint is 13 INCH lbs. (1.5 N.m). Check compression
lower arm, lateral lower arm, dust covers, and bushings for damage and wear.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Use NEW ball joint nuts. Lubricate lip and inside of dust cover with
multipurpose lubricant. Using installer, install dust cover. Check front wheel alignment.
UPPER ARM ASSEMBLY
Removal
Using steering linkage puller, loosen upper arm ball joint and knuckle nut. Remove self-locking nut. Remove upper arm and upper arm shaft assembly. Remove dust cover.
Inspection
Using preload socket, ensure breakaway torque for upper arm ball joint is 3-13 INCH lbs. (0.3-1.5 N.m).
Replace upper arm assembly when measured value exceeds specification. Check upper arm, dust cover, and
bushings for damage and wear.
Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use NEW self-locking nuts. Lubricate lip and inside of dust cover
with multipurpose lubricant. Using Ball Joint Installer (MB990800), install dust cover.
2. Ensure upper arm shaft assembly is installed at indicated angle. Verify upper arm shaft
assembly installation. Check front wheel alignment.

Once you have the correct arm off and a replacement joint (if available, some are not serviceable and require the arm to be replaced) then you will need a press or a ball joint press to change the joint. Such as
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46389

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66958

or http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46967

It's not required to change the upper and the lower at the same time. However it will save you time if you do them both as if one is going out the other will soon.
The actual job is not that difficult but you may need a pickle fork or a ball joint removal tool to disconnect the ball joints from the steering knuckle. You will also need a ball joint press to remove/install the ball joints. You may also need a strut spring compressor. You can rent these at an auto parts store.
Basically you have to do the following -loosen lug nuts -jack the vehicle up and place on jack stands -remove wheel -remove upper ball joint cotter pin and nut -remove lower ball joint cotter pin and nut -with pickle fork/ball joint removal tool remove both upper and lower ball joints from steering knuckle -disconnect tie rod end from knuckle (optional depending on clearance) -disconnect strut (be sure to install strut spring compressors) -with ball joint press you will need to press both ball joints out (you also use the press to install ball joints)
Installation is reverse of removal.
For exact instructions you can buy the manual for about $20 or go to autozone.com, register, and view the manual on their site for free.

The upper and lower ball joints are riveted in on the oem ball joints you have to cut the rivets and then use a balljoint press to press them out the new ball joints have nuts and bolts just press them back in and tighten down the nut

You have to seperate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle and cut out the rivets holding the ball joint to the lower "A" arm slid out the old ball joint and bolt in the new one bolts should come with the replacement ball joints I hope this helps.

support vehicle under A frame remove wheel. loosen nut on top of ball joint.seperate spindle assembly from ball joint w/ball joint seperating tool AKA pickle fork.remove nut.ball joint is riveted to lower A frame-chisel off or drill out rivets.install new ball joint w/nuts &bolts supplied with it